Originally appeared on E! Online
Sam Smith is bringing the body shop to the 2026 Met Gala.
The “Unholy” singer looked like a literal work of art as they walked the steps at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for the “Costume Art”-themed gala May 4.
For the night’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code, Sam donned a black Erté showgirl-inspired mermaid dress complete with a fuzzy collar and sleeves that looked like wings. The 33-year-old, whose outfit was designed by their partner Christian Cowan, completed the look with a tall feathered headpiece.
For the Costume Institute benefit, the Grammy winner was joined by Christian, who himself looked stunning wearing an all-black suit. (See all the celebrities at the event here.)
And Sam wasn’t just there to strut up the Met steps: The musician was also part of the host committee for the evening, which was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour.
The event marked Sam’s second turn at the Met Gala after making their debut in 2024, wearing a design by Christian inspired by the night’s “The Garden of Time” theme: a black tuxedo with a sheer chiffon skirt overlay and a gold rose pining the jacket closed.
“I always feel beautiful whenever I wear Christian’s clothes, both inside and out,” Sam said. “Tonight’s is a particularly perfect fit.”
And fashion is one aspect of life that Sam has always tried to have fun with.
“Every day when I wake up, I decide who I want to be that day,” they shared with Vogue in a 2024 video retrospective on their fashion. “I feel like a kid in a dress-up box.”
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“I couldn’t have dreamed of a better companion for the occasion,” Sam told Vogue at the time. “I think of the Gala as fashion Christmas—just as fabulous and just as serious, given the incredible work done at the Met.”
And the “Stay With Me” singer was especially excited to be wearing a piece designed by Christian—who himself had opted for an almost identical white tuxedo.
Julian Hamilton/Getty Images
“I always feel beautiful whenever I wear Christian’s clothes, both inside and out,” Sam said. “Tonight’s is a particularly perfect fit.”
And fashion is one aspect of life that Sam has always tried to have fun with.
“Every day when I wake up, I decide who I want to be that day,” Sam shared with Vogue in a 2024 video retrospective on their fashion. “I feel like a kid in a dress-up box.”
For a look at all the stars having their own fun dressing-up for the 2026 Met Gala, keep reading.
Kris Jenner
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Beyoncé
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Blake Lively
Madonna
Kim Kardashian
in custom Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem.
Babyface
Misty Copeland
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Lily-Rose Depp
Karlie Kloss
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Gracie Abrams
Suki Waterhouse
Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union
John Salangsang/Shutterstock
Doechii
Keke Palmer
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Hudson Williams
Cher
in custom Chrome Hearts and Swarovski jewelry.
Grace Gummer
in custom Gabriela Hearst.
Joe Alwyn
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Kendall Jenner
in Gap Studio by Zac Posen.
SZA
Eileen Gu
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Sombr
Hunter Schafer
Audrey Nuna
in Robert Wun and Messika jewelry.
Tune in to E! today, May 4, starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT for every must-see moment from the Met Gala 2026.
